Chandigarh, January 19: Haryana is moving swiftly towards the establishment of the Haryana State Disaster Response Force (HSDRF) in full compliance with the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025. A high-level review meeting chaired by Financial Commissioner (Revenue) and Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr. Sumita Mishra, was held on Monday to assess progress related to the force’s formation and to prepare a comprehensive roadmap.
During the meeting, officials conducted a detailed review of the existing disaster response mechanism and discussed strategic reforms required for setting up a fully equipped HSDRF. The review focused on infrastructure development, manpower deployment, specialized training protocols, and operational preparedness to ensure swift response during both natural and man-made disasters.
Dr. Mishra informed that the government has decided to constitute a new SDRF battalion, with a majority of personnel drawn from Agniveers. She further stated that to deal with any sensitive situation, one Quick Response Team (QRT) will be established in each division across the state.
She said that the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025, notified on March 29, 2025, empowers states to raise dedicated State Disaster Response Forces for specialized disaster response operations. Haryana has initiated extensive inter-departmental coordination, and the Police and Home Departments have been directed to operationalize the force. She added that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued detailed guidelines covering the establishment, organization, training, and deployment of SDRFs, providing a robust framework for developing a professional disaster response force in line with national standards.
Dr. Mishra noted that Haryana already has a strong base of trained disaster response personnel. The 1st Battalion of IRB, Bhondsi, is currently functioning as the nodal disaster response unit, with 594 police personnel trained in collapsed structure search and rescue, flood rescue, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) response. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continues to provide critical support through advanced training programs, ensuring personnel remain at the forefront of disaster response techniques.
The meeting also examined the conditions laid down by the Government of India for establishing a dedicated SDRF, including sanctioned disaster management posts, dedicated infrastructure, specialized uniforms and equipment, and senior-level leadership. The Home Department has already approved a full battalion comprising 1,149 posts, providing Haryana with a strong foundation for rapid operational readiness.
Dr. Sumita Mishra directed all concerned departments to submit a comprehensive proposal detailing timelines, resource requirements, infrastructure development plans, training modules, and a phased implementation strategy. She emphasized that the establishment of a dedicated and professionally trained State Disaster Response Force will significantly enhance Haryana’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to disasters and emergencies, thereby reinforcing the state government’s commitment to public safety, disaster resilience, and citizen welfare.
